How is Kratom Used?
Kratom can be consumed in a variety of ways. The leaves of the tree can be chewed, brewed into tea, or taken as capsules or tablets. Some people also use kratom extracts, which are concentrated forms of the active compounds found in the leaves. Kratom is legal in many parts of the world, but it is important to check local laws and regulations if you decide to use it.
What are the different forms of kratom?
Kratom comes in leaf, powder, tincture, and capsule form, and can be brewed into tea. More recently, “K shots” have been seen on the shelves of some retailers. These products have highly concentrated amounts of kratom extract and are supposedly similar to energy drinks. They can be found in specialty stores, the internet, and even gas stations, although Kratom-containing products are not always marketed as such. Because Kratom is a plant, it can be prepared in a number of different ways, but the most common include:
Powder capsules - Kratom most frequently comes in pill or powder form; the former can be taken directly as a supplement, while the latter can be added to food or drink. Kratom pills are marketed under a variety of different purposes, including as dietary supplements, energy boosters, or as the plant itself.
Brewed teas – some people choose to infuse hot water with Kratom leaves, similar to brewing regular tea. This allows the psychoactive compounds to exit the leaves for ingestion.
Extracts – while less common, Kratom can also come in extract-form, similar to CBD oil products that already exist on the market. These kinds of supplements can be ingested or applied to the skin in small amounts.
Chewing leaves – the least common form of Kratom consumption comes in the form of chewing the leaves directly, which releases the alkaloid-rich juices. This form of Kratom use is more common in its native Southeast Asia.
Kratom Strains
Additionally, leaves are available in various strains, each with its own unique physical and psychological effects. Different strains of Kratom are produced based on how the trees are grown and when the leaves are harvested. The most common strains are red, white, and green. Some people claim that red strains have more calming and soothing properties while white strains are used for energizing effects. Green strains are considered a middle ground between the other two. Much existing research, however, shows that the ‘differences’ between the strains is mostly a marketing gimmick. Concentrations of psychoactive alkaloids is consistent between different strains, meaning that the effects experienced by taking one over another, for example, should be negligible.
The Kratom industry is largely unregulated, meaning that the quality, potency, and purity of products can vary significantly between different strains and vendors.